September 5, 2012 12:21pm EDTSeptember 5, 2012 10:59am EDTVictor Cruz is going to find it exceedingly difficult to match his unexpected and prolific 2011 production, when he led the Giants with 82 receptions for a franchise single-season record 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns.

Paul Schwartz

Published on Sep. 5, 2012

Sep. 5, 2012

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—Victor Cruz is going to find it exceedingly difficult to match his unexpected and prolific 2011 production, when he led the Giants with 82 receptions for a franchise single-season record 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns.

Cruz averaged a staggering 18.7 yards per catch, bursting on the scene as an undrafted unknown without a single NFL reception.

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Heading into this season, Cruz is a marked man, and not just because his end zone salsa dance makes him unpopular with opposing defensive backs.

Cruz began seeing double teams late last season and he is sure to receive a steady diet of extra attention right out of the gate this time around.

Despite a hectic offseason in which he wrote a book and made numerous appearances, Cruz never missed a workout and showed no signs of slowing down in training camp.

Working in his favor is that he is most effective running routes from the slot position, where his surprising strength and subtle moves makes him a challenge to double.

NOTE: This is a big season for safety Kenny Phillips, the 2008 first-round pick. Early on, it looked as if he was going to be a Pro Bowl caliber player. A serious knee injury delayed that promise and Phillips enters the final year on his contract needing to prove he can be a difference-maker in the secondary. Phillips is expected to be closer to the line of scrimmage this season to support the run defense.